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Exclusive: "What Inspires Me", By Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung, the Brit fashionista and host of Lifetime's new 24-Hour Catwalk (think Project Runway on speed) lets you in on how she decides what to wear and what inspires her.

What she's going for: Quirk! "This is my Charlie Chaplin look-black trousers with suspenders and an Yves Saint Laurent shirt. Putting weird pieces of clothing together is what I'm good at."

The embroidered pillow reads, "Friends are flowers that never fade."

Friends and hanging out: "The pillow is so wrong it's right, it's so bad it's good! I think my style can be like that at times. I got the pillow in New Orleans and as kitsch as it is, the sentiment written on it is so true."

Her new show: "That's me, mentoring a young designer."

This is what Alexa’s shoe collection looks like: “I pick up one piece of clothing—often shoes—and let it lead me to the next, then the next, till I have an outfit. These shoes were all over my living room. Imagine the possibilities.”

The perfect dress: I loved Cristopher Kane's spring 2012 collection. I wore one of his embellished '60s shifts to the British Fashion Awards. I love dresses that flare out a bit to give me more shape. I have loads of them."

Her ultimate style idol: “Jane Birkin inspires me daily. When I’m tempted to dress too sexy, I think of her and am reminded that true style comes from within.”

A parade of cute shoes: "My friends make fun of me because they say I own tons of this same style shoe, just different tweaks here and there--a buckle, a strap, a stud--but it's ultimately the same shoe. It's one of my staples. I guess I always go back to pieces I adore."

Her surprising signature scent: "Le Labo makes the best smelling fragrances and candles. I always have a Santal candle burning in my apartment so much clothes smell ace. When I'm out and about, it's important to smell good."

What do you think of Alexa's style? Check out our March issue for additional snaps, sketches and insights!